Best places to use a Companion Voucher (travelling with 8yo daughter)

[puffypowers]

Hi all

Looking for a bit of advice or inspiration.

I’ve got a Companion Voucher to use and I’ll be travelling with my 8-year-old daughter. I’m a single parent, and we had a brilliant trip to Kenya last year, but this time I’m trying to find something that’s still exciting but not too expensive overall, ideally something that makes the most of the voucher without the trip costing a fortune once we’re there.

We’d be looking at summer holidays mainly (more flexibility then), though I could also consider Easter if it makes a big difference in price or availability.

I know there are loads of possibilities — the US, Maldives, etc. — but I’m not sure they make the most sense cost-wise, especially with the exchange rates and local prices being what they are. I guess I’m after ideas where the voucher really helps with value, but also somewhere that would be good for a parent and child – interesting, maybe some nature or culture, or even beach.

Would love to hear where others have used their vouchers and whether there are any hidden gems or places that are better value than they first appear.

Thanks in advance!

[aq.1988]

Might not tick all your boxes, but we had a very enjoyable trip to Abu Dhabi last summer, staying at WB Curio, Yas Island, visiting all the theme parks which were included with the hotel rate (booked on points).

Although it was 40 degrees, all the theme parks are indoors, so you don’t really notice it.

[memesweeper]

Costa Rica. Tons for an 8 year old to see/do. Weather could be patchy check local conditions (rain patterns are completely different in various areas in a very small county). If you stick with August it’ll be via Madrid with Iberia, it’s Winter only with BA.

[stevew]

We are in Washington using a voucher for CW flights. Great travel experience, I don’t normally praise BA but the trip out was perfect. What I didn’t realise is how cheaply you can entertain yourself here! Much Smithsonian stuff available for free. Went to the Capitol yesterday, again all free invluding a tour. Lots of walking opportunities including from the Lincoln memorial to the Capitol, truly impressive. Accomodation is not currently expensive, loads of apartments, I would always get something with a kitchen in the US as 100 pc eating out gets oppressive and is expensive. We rebooked twice as prices were falling (Trump?), under 1k for a great space for 7 days. All told not an expensive trip at all. Quite different to many big cities, you could spend very little and have a fantastic time here.

[The Savage Squirrel]

Washington is a great shout – lots of very child friendly museums; then head either to Delaware or the Outer Banks for some lovely and practically empty beaches and accomodation + food that is a world away from the metropolitan hotspots in terms of price/value on offer. Shenandoah/Blue ridge nearby for as much nature as you like too.

Or, if you can do it, Japan!

[NorthernLass]

I agree with the US – there’s plenty of self-catering type accommodation to be had and you can spend as much or as little as your budget dictates. In terms of variety of landscapes, museums, beaches and other things to do (much of it free), there really isn’t any other country with as much to offer, IMO. Also avios seats are relatively easy to come by in school holidays. We’ve had some fantastic holidays over the years starting in US cities – a few years ago we flew in CW to Washington DC and spent a week driving around there and Virginia and beyond (the Air and Space museum near the airport and Gettysburg were 2 highlights), then flew to the Caribbean for some beach time, although you could go further along the east coast or California for those.

Don’t forget as well that you can fly into one place and out of another (within the open jaw rules), so you don’t have to trek back to where you started.